Why Does My Headlight Turn Off Randomly?

Headlights are an important component of a vehicle’s electrical system, If your headlight turns off randomly then there’s an issue.

Headlight turns off randomly for many reasons and this post will outline these reasons while providing a professional solution to it.

Headlights and vehicle lighting system

The primary purpose and function of headlights on vehicles are to illuminate the roadway and facilitate safe driving. Headlights and their light systems are thus very important vehicle components that are relevant to safety both for the driver and other road users. They attract legal approval and consequences and must not be tampered with lightly.

If you do have a problematic headlight, you should try to fix it immediately so as not to put other vehicles at risk. The headlights have three prongs that aid the lighting system. You will find them helpful along the line and they include:

• Low beams: low beams are bright lights used during the day
• High beam: this is the brightest of them all, it’s vital during the night and in foggy conditions 
• Ground: it provides a path for the electricity from the headlight to return to the negative terminal.

Problems associated with headlights 

There are lots of problems that could be associated with headlights thus making it go off randomly and at intervals. These problems may need a glance to diagnose and sometimes a professional technician would come to the rescue. Below is an outline of the problem of a headlight making it turn off randomly.

1. Bad alternator:

The alternator powers the electrical system of your vehicle, once it’s faulty, you will notice a random turn-off and flickering of the headlight since it won’t be providing enough supply of power. You can buy a new headlight alternator on Amazon.

2. Broken and worn-out bulbs:

When a bulb is faulty, it will be difficult to radiate light as it should. A broken or worn-out light will not function optimally. Therefore look out for this and replace as necessary.

3. Faulty battery:

When your vehicle is off, the headlight is powered by the battery and when this battery wears out or goes down, the evidence is seen in your headlights turning off randomly.

4. Wrong wiring:

A major but tricky reason why the headlight turns off randomly is bad wiring and connection, if the wire harness is wrongly aligned then headlight problems is inevitable.

5. Turned on auto-sensitivity:

Auto-ensitivity is a great tool for harnessing full safety protocol while driving but then if it’s on, your vehicle takes charge of the headlight control system and turns off and on when dims fit.

Nine (9) things to do when your headlights turn off randomly 

If you’ve noticed your headlights turn off randomly, you may want to do the following to savage the situation as it could lead to many bigger problems:

1. Check the fuses of the headlights and ensure they have the right amperage.
2. Clean any corrosion on the external connections and wire harness.
3. Test the headlight bulbs for wear and replace them if necessary
4. Check the headlight wiring harnesses for any damage.
5. Perform a voltage test on the headlight switch to ensure it is sending the proper signals to the headlight.
6. Check the battery and alternator as this usually pose serious problems 
7.  Test the relays and ensure its in the best condition.
8. Verify if the headlight setting is on auto-sensitivity as it can be turned off and on as a result of this setting depending on the situation.
9. Seek professional automotive assistance when for further assistance. 

Conclusion

Headlight issues could prompt a quick response but unfortunately in the wrong direction. Out of confusion and frustration, drivers could try to salvage the issue thereby putting the headlight in more serious danger if they lack proper knowledge. This article has done justice to the subject and thus you’re advised to seek the help of a qualified technician if you still do not understand the basics.